Smart Solutions for ICT

Smart grids using energy-efficient technology has become a buzzword in the
ICT industry today. The recent global smart grid conference in the US also
highlighted why smart grid technology is the way forward—from power conservation
through smart meters to smart grid for the telecom and IT industry that will
help in load shedding and faster, higher capacity systems.

In India, smart grid technology is still new, but is
definitely gaining ground. Software giants like IBM are working with NDPL to
bring these energy solutions to India, customized for the problems faced by a
huge market and burgeoning population.

With the help of its Global Intelligent Utility Network
Coalition, IBM works with each country in the group to customize solutions
according to individual needs.

Accordingly, IBM has released its new POWER7 systems,
which is set to help the electric utility industry better manage transactions
and data streams created by the emerging smart grid technologies. IBM POWER7
systems is estimated to enable the handling of numerous transactions in
real-time and analyze the associated volumes of data, typical of emerging
applications. The new systems and management software include the IBM Power 780,
Power 770, Power 755 and Power 750 Express servers, as well as the IBM Systems
Director Express, Standard and Enterprise editions.

Meanwhile, Lineage Power is also working on several new
smart grid solutions, especially for the telecom market. Eco Priority Source
prioritizes sustainable energy sources before the utility grid or generator
sources by drawing power from the solar, wind, water or fuel cell sources before
drawing on the utility or generator source. Eco Priority Source also allows for
alternative sources to supplement the grid like real-time traditional energy
sources to provide the greenest source possible.

Lineage has also developed Smart Grid Demand Response
capabilities. Accordingly, Lineage Total Efficiency architecture interacts with
smart grids in three ways:

• Automated, by listening and responding to requests from
  the power utility (protocol based)
• Scheduled, whereby the service provider decides when to
  go off-grid (calendar based)
• Dynamic, based on the lowest cost of power during a
  particular time period from a particular utility (financial based)

Thus, in the future, a telecom operator will have the opportunity to source
power from different utilities at various points throughout the day based on the
electrical provider with the most cost-effective rates.

According to a report by GTM Research, the most funded smart grid start-up
companies till date are those competing in the networking/communications space
(solving the end-to-end communication challenge). As the ICT market matures in
the next two to five years, and software giants grow their presence in the
market sector, the application space is set to be the next frontier of smart
grid start-up capital. Thus, smart grid will soon go from being used selectively
in certain industries to being used globally for all industries, and on a daily
basis to act as a much-needed green solution to an increasing carbon footprint.

Beryl M

berylm@cybermedia.co.in